A male hiker stands in front of the Styggebreen Glacier, Norway.
4.9
| 31 reviews

The Ultimate Norwegian Fjords Adventure

8 nights
Moderate

Hike and kayak through astounding landscapes and glacial tongues, staying in cool places along the way

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with expert, friendly, English-speaking guides

All accommodation

4 nights in boutique hotels, 2 nights wild camping, 1 night in a guesthouse and 1 night on a farm

Meals

All breakfasts, all lunches and 7 dinners

Transfers & Permits

Your airport transfers, permits and entry fees are included

Equipment

Everything you need for kayaking, glacier hiking and camping is provided

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 15 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.9
| 31 reviews
An absolutely fantastic adventure; Great de...
October 2023
Dominic
An absolutely fantastic adventure; Great de...
October 2023
Dominic
What an amazing trip! Fort organised advent...
August 2023
Edward
What an amazing trip! Fort organised advent...
August 2023
Edward
What an amazing trip! Fort organised advent...
August 2023
Edward
An Unforgettable Norwegian Adventure!

My...
August 2023
Karen
An Unforgettable Norwegian Adventure!

My...
August 2023
Karen
An Unforgettable Norwegian Adventure!

My...
August 2023
Karen
This trip is absolutely incredible! Every d...
August 2023
Alice
This trip is absolutely incredible! Every d...
August 2023
Alice
This trip is absolutely incredible! Every d...
August 2023
Alice
This trip is absolutely incredible! Every d...
August 2023
Alice
Amazing trip! Norway is such a beautiful co...
August 2023
Oliver
Amazing trip! Norway is such a beautiful co...
August 2023
Oliver
Amazing trip! Norway is such a beautiful co...
August 2023
Oliver
Amazing trip! Norway is such a beautiful co...
August 2023
Oliver
Amazing trip! Norway is such a beautiful co...
August 2023
Oliver
Superb adventure with fantastic guides. I d...
August 2023
Norman
Superb adventure with fantastic guides. I d...
August 2023
Norman
One of my bucket list destinations ticked o...
July 2023
Becky
One of my bucket list destinations ticked o...
July 2023
Becky
One of my bucket list destinations ticked o...
July 2023
Becky
One of my bucket list destinations ticked o...
July 2023
Becky
What a fantastic trip! Did not disappoint....
July 2023
Rebecca
Best group adventure trip to date! Couldn't...
July 2023
Jamison
Best group adventure trip to date! Couldn't...
July 2023
Jamison
Best group adventure trip to date! Couldn't...
July 2023
Jamison
Best group adventure trip to date! Couldn't...
July 2023
Jamison
Best group adventure trip to date! Couldn't...
July 2023
Jamison
Fabulous trip... the itinerary is spot on a...
June 2023
Dave

Summit Galdhøpiggen (2469m) – Scandinavia’s highest peak – and clip on crampons to clamber across icy glaciers

Paddle through the pristine Nærøyfjord, and follow remote trails to the towering peaks above for unforgettable vistas 

Hike in pristine forest and on rugged plateaus to discover the wild and mighty waterfalls that spill into the fjords

Bed down in quirky boutique hotels, cosy historic inns, and wild camp directly under the stars by the fjord’s edge

Key Information

Day 1

Welcome to Norway!

An aerial view of Voss in Norway.

Join the group transfer from Bergen Airport and get to know your fellow travellers, or make your own way to Voss. Check into your hotel, meeting for a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby at approximately 16:30. Spend the rest of your evening exploring, grabbing some dinner with your crew and getting a good night's sleep before the adventure begins in the morning.

Day 2

Time to hit the water

A lone kayaker paddles through the Naeroyfjord in the Norwegian Fjords.

Kayaking

4-5hrs · 13km

Check out of the hotel and head to your host's kayaking base in Gudvangen – situated in the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord. After a safety briefing and paddling instruction session, you'll pack your drybags into the kayaks and set off, carrying everything you need for the next couple of days. The Nærøyfjord is an idyllic spot with typically calm waters and waterfalls cascading from the fjord's 1000m+ walls. You'll set up camp on the shore of the Nærøyfjord in the afternoon; enjoy a glass of wine and dinner prepared by the guide as the sun sets, helping to build the campfire if you fancy it.

Day 3

Bird's-eye view hiking

A man sits on a cliff edge in the highlands of above the Naeroyfjord in the Norwegian Fjords.

Hiking

7-10 hours · 20km · 1200m up · 1200m down

Leaving your campsite and kayaks behind, you'll strap on your daypack for a hike to the highlands above Nærøyfjord, all the way to the top of one of the fjord's towering peaks. From the summit, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the water-filled channel cutting its way through the mountainous landscape. You'll return to your campsite for dinner and a second night of counting shooting stars.

Day 4

Kayak into the Aurlandsfjord

A woman paddles through the Naeroyfjord in the Norwegian Fjords.

Kayaking

3-4hrs · 10km

Load up your kayak, get back on the water and continue to paddle through the Nærøyfjord. The cold, clean waters are a wildlife haven – keep your eyes peeled for seals and with luck, you may even encounter some niser, a local species of harbour porpoise. Next, you'll pass the towering headland of Beitelen, forming a natural divide between the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. Your take-out point is a couple of kilometres before Undredal. You'll have a steep forty-five-minute hike up to your accommodation at Stigen Farm, which overlooks the Aurlandsfjord from its spectacular mountain shelf some 360m above sea level. Check into your room before tucking into a fresh, farm-to-table style dinner.

Day 5

Paddle to Fresvik

Kayakers on the Sognefjord in the Norwegian Fjords.

Kayaking

3-4hrs · 18km

Hiking

1hr · 1km · 360m down

Start today paddling north towards the main channel of the Sognefjord, stopping for a picnic lunch before heading into the picturesque bay of Fresvik in the late afternoon. Settle in at your guesthouse here, and perhaps take a jump in the fjord followed by a well-deserved soak in the wood-fired hot tubs set on the wharf. Tuck into a home-cooked dinner, made using ingredients grown and sourced from the village.

Day 6

To Bøverdalen Valley

A view of the village of Fresvik from the water in the Norwegian Fjords.

Hiking

1-2hrs (optional)

Driving

3hrs

This morning, take a walk around the picturesque fjordside village of Fresvik or a hike up the overlooking hillsides (optional). In the afternoon, hop in the van for a breathtaking drive up to the Jotunheimen mountain range further north, complete with a ferry crossing over the main Sognefjord. Arrive in Elveseter in the Bøverdalen Valley in the late afternoon and get some rest before your summit attempt tomorrow.

Day 7

To the top!

A group of hikers roped together on the snowy slops of Galdhøpiggen, the highest mountain in Norway.

Hiking

7 hours · 12km · 650m up · 650m down

Setting off early, you’ll start the hike to the 2469m summit of the majestic Galdhøpiggen (a 7-hour round trip). Snow-covered year-round, the trail begins by crossing the Styggebreen Glacier – you'll be provided with crampons and ropes to tackle this section. You’ll then push on to the summit, soak up that ‘top of the world’ feeling and bask in the incredible views below.

Day 8

Glacier go-go

An aerial shot of hikers on the Nigardsbreen Glacier in Norway.

Hiking

3hrs · 2km · 150m up · 150m down

Today you'll hike through the glaciers of Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to some of Europe's largest ice caps. At the Nigardsbreen Glacier, one of the park's most dramatic glacial tongues, you'll transfer by small boat to the glacier's snout. After a briefing by the glacier guide, you'll strap on your crampons and set out on an unforgettable hike to see fantastically shaped pinnacles, tunnels and frozen waterfalls. After exploring this epic glacial landscape, you'll then be driven to Voss and spend a final evening celebrating your ultimate adventure with your crew.

Day 9

Transfer to Bergen for final farewells

A view of quintessential houses on the edge of the water in Bergen, Norway.

Kick back with a group transfer from Voss to Bergen Airport (or Bergen town), where you can say your farewells.

Day 1

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 3

Wild camping · Twin or single tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Cabin · Multi share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Guesthouse · Multi share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6 – Day 8

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 9

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

A typical dish from the Store Ringheim Restaurant in Vossevangen, Norway.

To say you will eat well on this adventure is beyond an understatement. Norwegian cuisine in its traditional form is based largely on the raw ingredients readily from the mountains, wilderness and coast. Dinner and breakfast are served at your overnight spots, many of which embrace the farm-to-table movement so you'll enjoy seasonal specialities as part of most meals – you can expect fish from the North Sea, foraged berries and mushrooms (seasonal) and tasty cheese produced locally. Example dishes include freshwater trout served with soft flatbread, sour cream and a raw beetroot salad or lamb cured in sea salt and served with seasonal herbs and vegetables. One alcoholic drink per person with dinner will be included but any extra will be at your own expense.

While camping the food is plentiful and fresh; dinner and breakfast are prepared by your guide over a campfire, the menu will vary but you can expect things like rice and pasta with fresh vegetables, egg, bacon and sausages. There are picnic stops for lunch breaks and water, tea and coffee are also readily available as well as some beer and wine for the evenings.

Vegetarians and vegans can be catered for as well as most other dietary requirements. Just let your host know when booking.

What is the accommodation like?

The Fleischer's Hotel in Voss, Norway.
Voss

On your first and last night, you will stay in a comfortable four-star hotel located in central Voss, within walking distance of restaurants and the train station. The hotel may vary depending on your departure date and availability but is generally either Fleischer's Hotel Voss or Stalheim Hotel situated further north up towards the fjords. The historic-style Fleischer's Hotel has a wellness centre including a pool, jacuzzi and sauna. The historic Stalheim Hotel, founded as a remote country inn during the mid-18th century, is perched in the mountains in the awe-inspiring Nærøyfjord region. You'll stay in twin-share rooms by default.

If you would like to extend your stay, please check with your host which hotel your group will be staying at, before booking your extra nights directly with the hotel – there are limited rooms, so we advise you to do this as early as possible to secure a booking.

A tent on the edge of the Norwegian Fjords at sunrise.
Arnahus Wild Camping

On the second and third nights, you'll paddle to a beach and sleep in a tent under the stars. You'll camp on the water's edge and feast on a supper prepared by your guide over the campfire. You will stay in twin-share tents by default and although the camping is about as wild as it gets, there are also hot showers and flushing toilets for you to use. Sleeping mats and sleeping bags are provided, but you can bring your own if you prefer.

An aerial view of Stigen Farm, Aurlandsfjord, Norway.
Stigen Gard

On Day 4 you'll stay at Stigen Farm, perched on a fertile mountain shelf some 360m above sea level, accessed by a steep climb with fantastic views over the Aurlandsfjord below. Only accessible via a combination of paddle power and your own two feet, accommodation is extremely limited in this remote spot. The group will be spread between the main house and different farm cabins, a short walk from the main house. Rooms are rustic in style and typically accommodate two to four people (occasionally up to six people). One of the cabins has a dreamy hot tub on the edge of the cliff.

The Fresvik Guesthouse in the Norwegian Fjords.
Fresvik

On Day 5 you'll stay at a family-owned guesthouse in a typical Norwegian fjordside village with magnificent views over the Sognefjord. Fresvik is a small farming community with an incredible backdrop of valleys and glaciers. Steaming wood-fired hot tubs line the deck with views over the fjord – perfect for soaking weary muscles. You'll also find a fire pit and picnic tables. There will be two to four people per room here, depending on the group size and gender mix.

A room in the Elvester Hotel in in Jotunheimen, Norway.
Jotunheimen

On Day 6 you'll stay in the Elveseter Hotel in Jotunheimen. The Elveseter is an old farm owned by a family of craftsmen, and you'll find much of their Norwegian folk art on show in the hotel. Run by Inger and Rungne Elveseter, the hotel is a lovely gem nestled in the mountains of Jotunheimen National Park. Rooms are twin-share by default and there is an open fire to while away the evening with a glass of wine after dinner.

The Jostedal Hotel in the Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park, Norway.
Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park

On Day 7 you'll stay at the Jostedal Hotel, right in the middle of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier National Park. You'll stay in twin-share rooms by default; most rooms have a view of the mountains and the Jostedølen River that runs alongside the hotel. There is a superb terrace for you to enjoy dinner and a celebratory glass of wine on, after a long day.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room upgrade can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Private rooms are limited – so please request this at the time of booking (subject to availability). This is not applicable to Day 4 at Stigen Farm nor Day 5 at Fresvik Guesthouse, as solo rooms are not available here. If you travel solo, you will be provided with a private tent for the two camping nights at no extra charge.

This trip has been rated as Moderate

You really do not need any kayaking experience. Your guide will give you full instructions and a safety briefing at the start. You’ll just need reasonable levels of fitness to handle the days out on the water.

The hiking is not for total beginners and the long hike on Day 4 can be challenging, particularly if it is or has been wet. The summit walk is also a big day, and we would only recommend this hike if you are an active person with hiking experience. No experience with crampons is needed. Both hikes take approx 7 to 9 hours return, with awesome views making them all worthwhile.

What will I need to carry?

You only need to carry a day rucksack during the hikes as your main luggage will be transported or stored for you.

The weather in summer is very comfortable for kayaking and camping, with temperatures at 15-20 degrees Celsius, sometimes more. It can get chilly at night so a warm jumper and some thermals are vital. This time of year daylight in Norway is constant with only 2–3 hours of darkness in the evenings.

We recommend joining this trip in July and August for the warmest temperatures, but it’s great all summer.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Bergen Airport (BGO)

12:30 on Day 1

Ends

Bergen Airport (BGO)

10:30 on Day 9

Transfers

On Day 1, there is a fixed-time group transfer from Bergen airport to your accommodation in Voss. The transfer time is planned to coincide with the scheduled arrival time of the Norwegian Air direct flight from London Gatwick (Flight DY1315). If you arrive earlier or later, please contact your host to make alternative arrangements.

PLEASE NOTE

The airport arrival transfer will depart Bergen Airport at 12:30. Any flight which arrives by 12:00 will be fine.

On Day 9, a group transfer will drop you at Bergen airport in time to catch any flight departing after 11:30. Please do not book a flight departing before 11:30 if you would like to join the group transfer.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Bergen from major airports in the UK and Europe. If you cannot meet the transfer, it is very quick and easy to get the train from Bergen to Voss, or to get a train all the way from Oslo. Most 2024 departure dates will start and end at Fleischer’s Hotel which is within easy walking distance (50m) of Voss train station. See the FAQs section for more details.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What's included?

All kayaking equipment:

  • Sea kayak, paddle and spray deck
  • Paddle jacket with hood and reflective strips
  • Life jacket
  • Sleeveless longjohn neoprene wetsuit and neoprene booties
  • Waterproof case for your camera/phone (various sizes available)
  • 22-litre drybag plus plastic bags for extra items if needed

All camping equipment:

  • Tent, cooking gear and crockery
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat (3" inflatable)

(if you prefer to bring your own sleeping bag or mat please let the host know in advance)

What do I need to bring?

Clothing & Footwear

  • Waterproof jacket with hood for hiking
  • Waterproof trousers for hiking
  • Warm jacket
  • Long trousers
  • Fleece
  • Base layers
  • Worn-in waterproof hiking boots
  • Hiking socks x 3-4 pairs (wool/merino are best, plus some extra socks)
  • Swimwear and/or rash vest (something to wear under the wetsuit)
  • Flip flops/sandals or light trainers for camp
  • Thin gloves
  • Beanie
  • Sunhat

Sleeping

  • Sleeping bag liner

Other

  • Rucksack for hiking (25-30 litres, without a frame so it can be packed in a kayak)
  • Walking poles (optional, lightweight and collapsible)
  • Sunglasses (ideally with retainer strap)
  • Sunscreen
  • Gaiters (if you have them)
  • Small travel towel (should you wish to swim in the fjord)
  • Thin sports gloves (protect from blisters while kayaking)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Toiletries and personal medication (if needed)
  • Antihistamines/bite relief if you are allergic
  • Camera. Waterproof boxes provided!
  • Head torch
  • Personal snacks
  • Travel documents, travel insurance and passport
*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade

JaneEllen S.(July 2024)
Epic Trip

The days could be tough but we were constantly rewarded with amazing views of the fjords, glaciers, mountains, and countryside. There was always plenty of excellent food and drink to keep the group going, and during this nine-day adventure we became quite tight under the expert leadership of our guide, Joe. It was not only epic but fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

John M.(June 2024)
Our guide was amazing, it

Our guide was amazing, it couldn't have been a nicer group of people and every single day had a breathtaking highlight.

Santosh R.(June 2024)
A great way to experience western Norway

I loved everything about this trip - the activities, our guide and the small boutique places we stayed in.

Dominic(October 2023)
An absolutely fantastic adventure; Great de...
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